The Max Planck Institute for Meteorology (MPI-M) is a multidisciplinary center for climate and Earth system research located in Hamburg, Germany. It is one of the premier climate science research institutes in the world. Located in the heart of one of Europe’s most livable and vibrant cities, it provides a highly international and interdisciplinary environment to conduct scientific research as well as access to state-of-the-art scientific facilities. You can also have a virtual tour to our campus.

The Cluster of Excellence “Climate, Climatic Change, and Society” (CLICCS) is led by the University of Hamburg, with the MPI-M as one of the core partners. CLICCS investigates climate dynamics and climate-related social dynamics, as well as the interactions between the two. To this end, CLICCS is looking for colleagues from a wide range of disciplines, including the natural sciences as well as the social sciences. We are proud to work together in a truly integrating manner. Visit CLICCS for more job openings.

THE POSITION

The MPI-M invites applications for a 2.5-year position as a

Postdoctoral Research Scientist (W-0056 all genders)

within the CLICCS project to investigate the high-latitude fluid dynamics of the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC) in observations and km-scale climate simulations.

The project aims to characterize how small-scale processes set the relationship between convective mixing, boundary currents, and subpolar overturning. The post holder will compare existing observations of these processes with their simulated counterparts in the ICON next-generation climate model. The successful candidate will join the Climate Variability Department and work in close collaboration with the Experimental Oceanography group at the University of Hamburg. Furthermore, there will be close collaboration with the EU-funded project Explaining and Predicting the Ocean Coveyor (EPOC).

YOUR PROFILE

  • PhD degree in physical oceanography, meteorology, physics, mathematics, engineering, or a related field
  • Experience with km-scale model simulations is an advantage
  • Excellent programming skills in Python (or related languages)
  • Proven record of high-quality research, demonstrated through publications, presentations, and references
  • Strong written and oral communication skills, and the ability to work independently as well as collaboratively

OUR OFFER

  • Participation in a challenging part of science in an international, intellectually stimulating environment
  • Access to complex workflows on the bleeding edge of what is technologically possible, as well as working for and with an open-source community
  • A network of very experienced and innovative colleagues within the institute, and at partner institutions with a long-proven tradition of sharing knowledge and information
  • Possibility for flexible time-management and measures to support work-life balance
  • Attractive benefits including subsidy for public transport across Germany (Deutschlandticket)

EMPLOYEEMENT CONDITIONS

  • The potential start date is as early as possible following January 1st, 2026
  • Payment will be in accordance with German public service positions depending on qualification (E14 TVöD), including extensive social security plans. The conditions of employment, including upgrades and duration, follow the rules of the Max Planck Society for the Advancement of Science and those of the German civil service
  • The Max Planck Society strives for gender and diversity equality. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds
  • The Max Planck Society is committed to increasing the number of individuals with disabilities in its workforce and therefore encourages applications from such qualified individuals

INTERESTED?

We are looking forward to receiving your online application by December 19th, 2025 (23:59 CET).

The application documents should include:

  1. a complete curriculum vitae that includes a list of publications
  2. 1-page (excluding references) research statement summarising past research activities
  3. contact information of three references

CONTACT

For further information, please contact Prof. Dr. Jochem Marotzke or Prof. Dr. Eleanor Frajka-Williams.

Please do not forward your application to theses email addresses. The application documents (PDF only) need to be submitted through this online application system: https://mpimet.mpg.de/en/career/job-opportunities